Reflex zone massage stimulator

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a reflex zone massage stimulator, particularly for the hand or the foot, comprising a rotatable rod-like element provided with projections, the ends of which define an active surface to be brought into contact with the skin of the user, the active surface being curved such that, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the rod-like element, the distance from said surface to the rotation axis of the element varies. A plurality of projections is farmed as electrode projection for electro-neuro stimulator pulses and is preferably connected with an electrode strip or is formed as one part with said electrode strip. For an effective stimulation of the reflex zones of the foot, the active surface of the relex zone massage stimulator may comprise at least one substantially convex portion and/or at least one substantially concave portion. The reflex zone massage stimulator may further be provided with at least one projection-less portion having a diameter which is larger than the largest diameter of the active surface.

The present invention relates to a reflex zone massage stimulator,particularly for the hand or the foot, comprising a rotatable rod-likeelement provided with projections, the ends of which define an activesurface to be brought into contact with the skin of the user.

Such a massage stimulator is known from WO-A-94/1353. The massagestimulator described therein comprises a cylindrical element having acircular cross section and the surface of the cylindrical element beingprovided with projections. The element is rotatably mounted in a handlepart, by which the cylindrical element with the projections can berolled over a body part for massaging.

There are a few disadvantages and problems associated with this massagestimulator. One disadvantage of this massage stimulator is that it ismainly suitable for massaging substantially flat surfaces. The massageis less efficient on curved body parts such as is the case with, forinstance, the foot with its various parts.

It is the objective of the invention to provide a massage stimulator ofthe kind mentioned in the preamble, in which said disadvantages areprecluded.

To this end the reflex zone massage stimulator according to theinvention is characterized in that the active surface, which is definedby the ends of the reflex zone massage stimulator's projections, iscurved such that, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the rod-likeelement, the distance from this surface to the rotation axis of theelement varies. The reflex zone massage stimulator can be designed suchas to allow, for instance, the feet to be massaged in an effectivemanner. The feet may now not only be massaged flat but also laterally.Practice has shown this to result in improved massaging of the feet.

In a preferred embodiment a plurality of projections is formed aselectrode projections for electro-neuro stimulator pulses. This allowsthe reflex zones in, for instance, the foot or the hand to be stimulatedmore effectively. By means of said electro-neuro stimulator pulses(Transcutane Electro-NeuroStimulator pulses, TENS-pulses) which areconveyed to the reflex zones via the skin, the effect of the reflex zonemassage stimulator is considerably improved and accelerated.

In a convenient embodiment the electrode projections are connected withan electrode strip. The electrode projections are now electricallycoupled by means of the electrode strip. By connecting the strip at onepoint with a pulse-generating device, all electrode projectionsconnected with the strip can be provided with electro-neuro stimulatorpulses, without having to connect each individual electrode projectionwith the pulse-generating device separately. By means of the electrodestrip, the massage stimulator with electrode projections is easy tomanufacture.

An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the electrodeprojections and the electrode strip are formed as one part. As a result,the manufacture of the massage stimulator is considerably streamlined.

Preferably a plurality of rows of electrode projections are provided inthe at least approximately longitudinal direction of and around therod-like element alternating with rows of non-electrode projectionsprovided in the at least approximately longitudinal direction of therod-like element. When using the reflex zone massage stimulator, thereflex zones are now alternatingly stimulated by electrode projectionsand electro-neuro stimulator pulses and by non-electrode projections,which further improves the effect of the massage stimulator.

There are different ways for obtaining the curved active surface. In twopossible variants the rod-like element may in the longitudinal directionhave a varying diameter while the length of the projections remainsconstant, however, the diameter of the rod-like element may in thelongitudinal direction also remain constant while the length of theprojections varies.

The active surface of the massage stimulator may be designed in severalways. It may comprise at least one substantially convex portion and/orat least one substantially concave portion. Both forms allow the userto, for instance, massage the feet in a different manner or to massagedifferent parts of the feet.

In a particular embodiment the reflex zone massage stimulator ischaracterized by at least two substantially convex or concave portionswhich, in relation to each other, possess a different degree ofconvexity and concavity respectively. Portions having in relation toeach other a different degree of convexity or concavity, afford thepossibility to stimulate the feet in a somewhat different manner duringmassage.

In a favourable embodiment of the invention, the massage stimulator ischaracterized in that the reflex zone massage stimulator comprises atleast one projection-less portion having a diameter which is larger thanthe largest diameter of the active surface. By placing the reflex zonemassage stimulator on the floor or another surface and by placing on it,for instance, both feet or both hands and moving them to and fro, thereflex zone massage stimulator will, in the case of the feet, roll underthe feet allowing the sole of the foot, the left and the right side ofthe foot, the heel and the toes to be massaged effectively. This mannerof use of the reflex zone massage stimulator affords an importantadvantage compared with the known reflex zone massage stimulator. Thefeet can now be massaged by the user, without requiring the assistanceof another person.

In a particular embodiment the reflex zone massage stimulator ischaracterized by two projection-less portions having a larger diameterand being positioned at the ends of the element. This positioning of theprojection-less portions affords the reflex zone massage stimulatorgreater stability so that it is also possible, for instance, to movesaid reflex zone massage stimulator over the floor with one foot.

In a preferred embodiment the massage stimulator is characterized inthat the projection-less portions having a larger diameter are providedwith a surrounding elastic element. This provision affords the reflexzone massage stimulator a better grip on the surface so that it slipsless easily during use. In this manner the production of noise whenrolling on hard surfaces is also reduced.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the elastic elements are ringswhich are partially admitted into grooves provided in the surface of theprojection-less portions having a larger diameter. Placement andpossible replacement of these rings around the projection-less portionsis simple. Due to the grooves the rings will remain in place and willnot slide off the projection-less portions during rolling.

Preferably the active surface is designed such that there is a gradualtransition between the different portions of the active surface of thereflex zone massage stimulator. An abrupt transition between thedifferent portions could result in irritations during massage. Inaddition, it is now possible to adapt the reflex zone massage stimulatoreven better to the anatomy of, for instance, the foot.

In a favourable embodiment the projections are placed substantiallyperpendicular on the surface of the rod-like element. In this manner themassage will provide the most effective stimulation of the reflex zonesof, for instance, the feet.

An effective embodiment of the reflex zone massage stimulator ischaracterized in that the projections are made from an elastic material.Preferably the projections are made from an plastic having a Shorehardness of about 50 to 90, and more preferably from a plastic having aShore hardness of about 75. During massage the projections will thenyield a little to pressure, preventing excessive stimulation andirritation of the skin. Using said elastic material also makes thereflex zone massage stimulator more comfortable.

A favourable embodiment is characterized in that the rod-like elementand the non-electrode projections are manufactured as one part from onematerial. This means that the manufacture of the reflex zone massagestimulator can be simpler and consequently cheaper and the loss ofprojections is avoided.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to thedrawing in which the only FIGURE shows a schematic longitudinal sectionof a preferred embodiment of the invention.

A rotatable rod-like element 10 is provided with projections 21, 22.These projections 21, 22 may be designed in various ways and in theembodiment shown they are rodlets. The ends of said projections 21, 22define an active surface 20 intended to contact the skin of the user.

To obtain effective massage stimulation of the reflex zones of, forinstance, the feet or the hands, said active surface 20 is curved. Inthe embodiment shown, the active surface comprises two substantiallyconvex portions 30, 40 and one substantially concave portion 50. Thelatter is located in the middle of the reflex zone massage stimulatorshown. On each of the two convex portions 30, 40 a foot or a hand can beplaced.

At the ends of the presented embodiment of the invention twoprojection-less portions 60 are formed having a diameter which is largerthan the largest diameter of the active surface 20. During use thereflex zone massage stimulator is preferably placed on a surface such asa floor to allow it to roll over both projection-less portions 60,without the projections 21, 22 touching the floor's surface. To increasethe stability, the projection-less portions 60 are provided with elasticrings 70 made of, for instance, plastic or rubber, said rings beingpreferably admitted in grooves 80 which are provided in the surface ofthe projection-less portions 60.

By placing the reflex zone massage stimulator on a surface and by, forinstance, placing one or both feet on the reflex zone massage stimulatorand by moving said reflex zone massage stimulator to and fro, the reflexzone massage stimulator rolls along under the foot, and in this mannermassages this foot. This foot massage may be carried out without theassistance of another person and while being otherwise occupied, such aswhile watching television. The provision of the two supportingprojection-less portions 60 at the ends of the reflex zone massagestimulator makes said reflex zone massage stimulator especially stable,which stability is even enhanced by providing elastic rings 70, whichare placed around the projection-less portions 60. When the massagestimulator now rolls over the floor it has a better grip on the floorand sliding is prevented. The production of noise when rolling on hardsurfaces is also reduced thanks to the application of the elastic rings70. To prevent the rings 70 from sliding off the projection-lessportions 60, said rings are admitted into grooves 80 which are providedin the projection-less portions 60 having a larger diameter.

It can be seen that in relation to each other, the two convex portions30, 40 have a different degree of convexity. The objective of this is toprovide the possibility of stimulating, for instance, the foot indifferent ways during massage. Obviously both portions may also possessan equal degree of convexity. Because the various portions of the activesurface undergo a gradual transition, the active surface next to theconvex portions curves upward again. These gradual transitions 31, 41are now shaped such that when one foot is placed on a convex portion 30,40 for the foot sole to be massaged, the round side part at theunderside of the foot is also stimulated.

Due to the convex portion 50 in the middle of the preferred embodimentof the reflex zone massage stimulator, other parts of, for instance, thefoot such as, for instance, the heel or the toes of the foot may receiveextra stimulation. A consequence of the transition of the substantiallyconcave portion to the convex portions is that thickenings 51 areformed. On either side of said thickenings 51 a toe may be placed to bemassaged.

At the outside of the rod-like element the reflex zone massagestimulator is in the longitudinal direction provided with a plurality ofelectrode strips 15 having electrode projections 22. The rows ofelectrode projections 22 thus formed in the longitudinal direction ofthe rod-like element are provided alternating (not shown) with rows ofnon-elect-rode projections 21. The electrode strips are electricallyconnected with an electro-neuro stimulator pulses-generating device 90fed by an, optionally rechargeable, storage battery or battery 91.Preferably the device is used on low voltage and weak current in orderto ensure, among other things, operational safety.

The device 90 generates electro-neuro stimulator pulses which are fed tothe electrode projections 22 in order to provide extra stimulation forthe reflex zones via the skin, for a better and quicker effect of thereflex zone massage stimulator. Owing to this the reflex zone massagestimulator has become a Transcutane Electro-NeuroStimulator (TENS).

It is also possible to position the device 90 separate from the massagestimulator and to connect said device with the massage stimulator bymeans of a cable in order to feed the electro-neuro stimulator pulses tothe electrode projections.

The massage is the most effective if the projections 21, 22 possess acertain elasticity. The projections 21, 22 are preferably made from aplastic having a Shore hardness of about 75. The length of theprojections 21, 22 which are formed as rodlets and which project fromthe surface of the rod-like body, is preferably about 4 mm and thediameter of the rodlets is about 3.2 mm.

In the preferred embodiment the rod-like element 10 and thenon-electrode projections 21 are manufactured as one part and from onematerial. This streamlines the production, but also prevents that theprojections 21 loosen and come out. Of course, it is also possible tomanufacture the rod-like element from a metal such as, for instance,aluminium, or from wood and to provide recesses in which the projectionsmay be fixed.

It is also possible, in case the rod-like element is manufactured froman elastic material, to have the elastic rings 70 which are providedaround the projection-less portions 60 form one part with the rod-likeelement 10 manufactured from one material. This results in a furtherstreamlining of the production. Of course, it is also possible tomanufacture the rod-like element 10, the elastic rings 70 and thenon-electrode projections 21 as one part from one material. Now onemould suffices to make this part.

The embodiment discussed here must not be understood to limit theinvention to this embodiment. It is, for instance, possible to place theprojections not straight but inclined on the surface of the rod-likebody. Another possibility is to use suction cups as projections 21, 22or a combination of suction cups and rodlets.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reflex zone massage stimulator, particularlyfor the hand or the foot, comprising a rotatable rod-like elementcomprising projections, an envelope formed by the ends of saidprojections defining an active surface to be brought into contact withskin of a user, and said active surface being curved such that, viewedin a longitudinal direction of said rod-like element, a distance fromsaid active surface to a rotation axis of said rod-like element varies,and comprising a plurality of portions for stimulating a different bodypart, wherein said projections are rodlets and are made from a plastichaving a Shore hardness of about 50 to 90 and said active surfacecomprises two substantially convex portions for stimulating a first bodypart, both ends of said convex portions being adjacent to roundedportions which are oriented for stimulating a side of said first bodypart, and said convex portions being intervened by a substantiallyconcave portion for stimulating a second, smaller body part.
 2. Amassage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of saidrodlets are formed as electrode rodlets connected to a pulse-generatingdevice to convey electro-neuro stimulator pulses via the skin to reflexzones of the user.
 3. A massage stimulator according to claim 2 whereina plurality of rows of said electrode rodlets are provided in thelongitudinal direction of and around said rod-like element, alternatingwith rows of non-electrode rodlets provided in said longitudinaldirection of said rod-like element.
 4. A massage stimulator according toclaim 3 wherein said rod-like element and non-electrode rodlets aremanufactured as one part from one material.
 5. A massage stimulatoraccording to claim 2 wherein said said pulse-generating device and abattery as a power-supply for said pulse-generating device are housedwithin said rod-like element.
 6. A massage stimulator according to claim2 wherein said electrode rodlets are connected with an electrode strip.7. A massage stimulator according to claim 6 wherein said electroderodlets and said electrode strip are for unitary.
 8. A massagestimulator according to claim 1 wherein a longitudinal portion of saidrod-like element has a constant diameter while length of the projectionsvaries.
 9. A massage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein said activesurface comprises at least two substantially convex portions which inrelation to each other possess a different degree of convexity.
 10. Amassage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein said active surfacecomprises at least two substantially concave portions which in relationto each other possess a different degree of convexity.
 11. A massagestimulator according to claim 1 wherein the massage stimulator comprisesone or more projection-less portions having a diameter which is largerthan a largest diameter of said active surface.
 12. A massage stimulatoraccording to claim 11 comprising two projection-less portions having alarger diameter than a largest diameter of the active surface andpositioned at ends of the element.
 13. A massage stimulator according toclaim 11 wherein said projection-less portions are provided with asurrounding elastic element.
 14. A massage stimulator according to claim13 wherein said elastic element is a ring partially admitted into agroove provided in a surface of said projection-less portions.
 15. Amassage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein a transition betweensaid convex portions is gradual.
 16. A massage stimulator according toclaim 1 wherein said projections are placed substantially perpendicularto a surface of said rod-like element.
 17. A massage stimulatoraccording to claim 1 wherein said projections are made from an elasticmaterial.
 18. A massage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein saidprojections are made from a plastic having a Shore hardness of about 75.19. A massage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein said rodletsproject about 4 mm from a surface of said rod-like element.
 20. Amassage stimulator according to claim 1 wherein a diameter of saidrodlets is about 3.2 mm.
 21. A reflex zone massage stimulator,particularly for the hand or the foot, comprising a rotatable rod-likeelement comprising projections, an envelope formed by the ends of saidprojections defining an active surface to be brought into contact withskin of a user, and said active surface being curved such that, viewedin a longitudinal direction of said rod-like element, a distance fromsaid active surface to a rotation axis of said rod-like element varies,and comprising a plurality of portions for stimulating a different bodypart, wherein said projections are rodlets and said active surfacecomprises two substantially convex portions for stimulating a first bodypart, both ends of said convex portions being adjacent to roundedportions which are oriented for stimulating a side of said first bodypart, and said convex portions being intervened by a substantiallyconcave portion for stimulating a second, smaller body part, wherein aplurality of said rodlets are formed as electrode rodlets connected to apulse-generating device to convey electro-neuro stimulator pulses viathe skin to reflex zones of the user, and wherein a plurality of rows ofsaid electrode rodlets are provided in the longitudinal direction of andaround said rod-like element, alternating with rows of non-electroderodlets provided in said longitudinal direction of said rod-likeelement.
 22. A massage stimulator according to claim 21 wherein saidrod-like element and non-electrode rodlets are manufactured as one partfrom one material.
 23. A reflex zone massage stimulator, particularlyfor the hand or the foot, comprising a rotatable rod-like elementcomprising projections, an envelope formed by the ends of saidprojections defining an active surface to be brought into contact withskin of a user, and said active surface being curved such that, viewedin a longitudinal direction of said rod-like element, a distance fromsaid active surface to a rotation axis of said rod-like element varies,and comprising a plurality of portions for stimulating a different bodypart, wherein said projections are rodlets and said active surfacecomprises two substantially convex portions for stimulating a first bodypart, both ends of said convex portions being adjacent to roundedportions which are oriented for stimulating a side of said first bodypart, and said convex portions being intervened by a substantiallyconcave portion for stimulating a second, smaller body part, wherein themassage stimulator comprises one or more projection-less portions havinga diameter which is larger than a largest diameter of said activesurface, and wherein said projection-less portions are provided with asurrounding elastic element.
 24. A massage stimulator according to claim23 wherein said elastic element is a ring partially admitted into agroove provided in a surface of said projection-less portions.
 25. Areflex zone massage stimulator, particularly for the hand or the foot,comprising a rotatable rod-like element comprising projections, anenvelope formed by the ends of said projections defining an activesurface to be brought into contact with skin of a user, and said activesurface being curved such that, viewed in a longitudinal direction ofsaid rod-like element, a distance from said active surface to a rotationaxis of said rod-like element varies, and comprising a plurality ofportions for stimulating a different body part, wherein said projectionsare rodlets and said active surface comprises two substantially convexportions for stimulating a first body part, both ends of said convexportions being adjacent to rounded portions which are oriented forstimulating a side of said first body part, and said convex portionsbeing intervened by a substantially concave portion for stimulating asecond, smaller body part, and wherein said rodlets project about 4 mmfrom a surface of said rod-like element.
 26. A reflex zone massagestimulator, particularly for the hand or the foot, comprising arotatable rod-like element comprising projections, an envelope formed bythe ends of said projections defining an active surface to be broughtinto contact with skin of a user, and said active surface being curvedsuch that, viewed in a longitudinal direction of said rod-like element,a distance from said active surface to a rotation axis of said rod-likeelement varies, and comprising a plurality of portions for stimulating adifferent body part, wherein said projections are rodlets and saidactive surface comprises two substantially convex portions forstimulating a first body part, both ends of said convex portions beingadjacent to rounded portions which are oriented for stimulating a sideof said first body part, and said convex portions being intervened by asubstantially concave portion for stimulating a second, smaller bodypart, and wherein a diameter of said rodlets is about 3.2 mm.